Protest Music in Latin America

Protest Music in Latin America: Politics, Faith, and Social Justice addresses the impact of protest music in Latin America between the late 1950s and the 2000s. This was a time of continental fervor for revolutionary change and social transformation. This book analyzes the interplay between faith and politics in the music of social protest across the region. It places these songs in historical context and offers a window into the religious and cultural life, language, and thought of social actors in Latin American history.

This vital resource for teaching students about Latin American cultures and societies offers in-depth analysis of twelve songs from different countries. An opening section provides the theoretical framework and historical background for understanding Latin American protest music and its relationship to faith and social change. Each of the remaining chapters focuses on one key song. The chapters move chronologically from the 1950s to the 2000s in their analysis of the composers and performers, historical and political contexts, lyrics, musical elements, religious themes, and messages of social change. Discussion questions and further resources at the end of each chapter allow readers to engage more deeply with the music. The full lyrics of each song are included in the original language with an English translation. Broadening the resources available for courses in Latin American music, history, culture, and language, while offering new insights for researchers and academics, Protest Music in Latin America: Politics, Faith, and Social Justice is an essential resource for scholars of sociology, religion, world music, and Latin American studies.